Need for School Chaplains as Vital Role Remains Unfilled

A growing number of Australian schools are seeking Chaplains, with over 200 vacancies across the country representing a vital gap in student wellbeing support.

SU Australia is one of the nation’s largest school chaplaincy providers and, recognising the important social and spiritual role chaplains fill in school communities, they’re urgently seeking recruits.

“Chaplaincy ultimately is really quite a practical and relational role,” SU Australia Executive Christy Marhin told Hope 103.2.

“They might spend time one-on-one with a student who’s struggling or run small groups around things like resilience or friendship, essentially being a consistent presence in the playground, in the classroom.”

One of the reasons chaplains are such a necessary fixture in student wellbeing teams is that they have time to give students that teachers and other staff don’t always have the luxury of offering.

“Kids have got a lot going on,” Christy said.

“Often they’re looking for another caring adult to speak with that maybe is outside their family.

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“Chaplains have the time to sit with the student, where maybe a teacher or another staff member who would love to do that may not have as much time and availability to do so.”

“Chaplains have the time to sit with the student… and show that you genuinely care.”

Interestingly, a recent SU Australia survey found that one of the main concerns young people want to talk through is the effect of the rising cost of living.

“We run a survey in term three each year that captures the crux of the issues that chaplains are speaking with students about,” Christy said.

“The cost of living bumped up to the top of the list in the last 12 months.

“Historically, it’s been more things like friendship issues and bullying – which were still in the top five – but kids are worried and needing support.”

A wide variety of people can be chaplains, with the main requirement being an ability to build rapport with the students and care for their concerns.

“I’m always very surprised by how diverse our chaplain team is,” Christy said.

“It’s not about a specific background or experience but being relational and grounded.

“Just bringing what you have, bringing that care and support [and] being able to show that you genuinely care.”

Find out more about becoming a chaplain via SU Australia.

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